Bizarre toilet problem

Greetings all:
Well, we decided to replace the wax ring in the downstairs toilet today.
Only problem was that the bolts were rusted out and we had to use the
hacksaw to get them off. Time consuming, but not a big deal.
So we go upon our merry way, get the bolts off, install the new ring and put
everything back together again. Looks great - except when you flush, water
appears on the floor. Upon a closer inspection, we find, of all things, a
HOLE in the porcelain! Quite small, can't fit my pinky into it. It's not far
from the floor, and doesn't leak until you flush and the water goes down,
it's not right in the bowl.
Is there anything out there that can fix such a thing, plug the hole? Or do
I need a new toilet?
Thanks,
KD

If I was in the biz I would agree with replacing the toilet but a "hole?"
If just a round defect hole goop comes to mind as there is no strength or
heat aspects.
OTOH if it is a "crack" then one could expect it to spread and replacement
is clearly indicated.

Depending on the location of the hole you could plug the hole instead
of springing for a new toilet. The two part epoxy sticks, the kind you
break off and knead with your fingers, work great for water
applications such as this. They cure chemically and will harden in
about 20minutes regardless of moisture or air conditions. My sump
system sprung a leak in the old iron pipes that I did not want to
replace, but a little bit of the steel epoxy stick has fixed the
problem so far three years running. I know there are white epoxy
sticks that would work for your problem, check your local home
improvement center with in the adhesives section. Sure it may not be
the professional or best way to do it, but it could work or least hold
you off until you are ready to mess with new toilets, wax seals, sewer
gas, and the the like.

Hmmm. Sounds as though there are options.
The crack is not visible from above, it actually took a second flush for us
to figure out where the water was coming from. I have no idea how a hole
suddenly appeared there; the only thing that comes to mind is that it must
have gotten a sharp poke with the hacksaw as we were chopping off the bolts.
There's no crack as far as I can see, although I do have fears that it could
become a crack over time. It's just an irregularly shaped hole. Perhaps I
will take a look at the epoxy route, and then just keep an eye on things.
And keep my eyes peeled for a big toilet sale! :)
Thanks everyone!
KD

If you don't mind my asking, what suddenly prompted you to "decide to
replace the wax ring? Was there already a leak of some sort? Generally
these last quit a long time. I'm just completing a bath remodel and I've
been in the house 28 years, raised 2 daughters, two wives, and a few beer
drinking buddies and the old wax ring was still as good as the new one I put
in (probably better!)
Even on my most bored days "deciding to replace the wax ring" falls pretty
far down the list of "Gee, I think I'll...." things!
Mark
P.S.. It sounds like your hole is in one of the cavities or channels that
feed the water from the tank to the bowl. A patch will probably work, but
be careful you don't restrict the flow into the bowl or it may not flush
right.

put
Speaking of wax rings I have a toilet - I suspect - has a leak down below
the wax ring.
The house was built about twenty years ago and that might indicate something
about the construction of the drain pipe.
I'm about to get bored enough to go after in as it is in a slab and is
staing the linoleum.
Anyone know how much of a job this is and what I am likely to find as the
problem?
the reason I don't suspect the wax ring is that it was put in very carefully
by a pro and with double wax rings.

"> > If you don't mind my asking, what suddenly prompted you to "decide to

I've
beer
pretty
something
carefully
I have a similar problem. My house is about 13 years old. I've been in it
just over 3 years and have what appears to be mold stains under the linoleum
in my 1/2 bath downstairs. I couldn't figure out what could be the cause
until I had seen a post here about a faulty wax ring. I suspect that would
be one reason to "decide to replace the wax ring".
Lynn

Back when I could hear I heard some adhesives for sheet flooring
causes dark mold looking colors under the floor. I've been suspecting
the shower drain for the dark colors but wife is saying, I think,
maybe it's the adhesive.

Hello:
Trust me, boredom wasn't the issue! When we purchased our house last year,
we of course had a home inspector come in. During his inspection, he used a
moisture detector at the base of both of our toilets. In his opinion, the
moisture level present suggested the wax rings needed replacing. Being new
home owners and knowing nothing about how to go about it, we put it off for
awhile. We tried once a couple months ago, but couldn't remove the bolts
because they were too rused. Finally got to it with my Dad's help and a
hacksaw.
To our surprise, it was a remarkably easy thing to do (except for hacking
off the bolts), and the wax rings are cheap. When we removed the toilet, the
existing ring was crumbly and pretty much flattened. My dad's opinion was
that we were overdue to change the thing. It may not even have been put in
correctly in the first place, as there was no residue from it on the floor
around the pipe, it was all up in the toilet.
Next step, now that we know how to do it, is the upstairs bathroom - as soon
as I get that other one fixed! Thank Heaven I have two, or I'd be left
without a pot to piss in so to speak. :)
KD

In the bathroom? Not a one. This is just a half bath in my basement, no
windows in it. I live in a semi; the bathroom is in the middle of the house,
with one wall of the bathroom against the neighbour's.
KD

Log in

HomeOwnersHub.com is a website for homeowners and building and maintenance pros. It is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.